Yakima Holdup Vs Saris Freedom Bike Racks

Question:

What’s the difference between these two racks besides a lot of money. I need to carry four bikes.

asked by: Katie

Expert Reply:

The Yakima HoldUp, part # Y02443-2, has several advantages over the Saris Freedom, part # SA4414B. I've linked to video reviews of both of these racks so you can see these differences in action.

These are both great racks that hold 4 bikes. The HoldUp can transition to a 2-bike carrier as needed, the Saris Freedom is always a 4 bike carrier.

The Yakima HoldUp can carry 4 bikes up to 50 pounds each, the Saris Freedom can carry 2 60 pounds bikes along with 2 35-pound bikes.

The Yakima HoldUp is a tire mount rack which works great but may interfere with some bike fenders. The tire mount would work best with carbon frames. The Saris Freedom is a frame mount rack, but it has a unique design so that neither of these racks require bike adapters for step-thru or alternative frame bikes.

The Yakima HoldUp has 12 inches of clearance from the center of the hitch pin hole to the closest part of the rack when in use and 7 inches when folded. The Saris Freedom has 13-1/2 inches when in use, and 10 inches when folded. That extra distance my be important based on your hitch and vehicle measurements.

The Yakima Holdup comes with locks for both the rack and the bikes. These can be purchased for the Saris Freedom with parts # SA3022 and # SA981.

The Yakima Holdup weighs 98 pounds and the Saris Freedom weighs 53 pounds.

Finally, a neat little feature for the HoldUp is the safety features on the back. It has a red flag and two battery-operated lights to alert drivers behind you at night.

All in all, both are great racks and if you want the top quaility, have carbon frames, 4 bikes over 35 pounds, or want to switch to a 2-bike rack on occasion, you would want to choose the Yakima Holdup # Y02443-2.

If you two of your bikes are between 50 and 60 pounds, have fenders on any of your bikes, need the lighter weight, and want to save some money, you would choose the Saris Freedom # SA4414B. Don't forget the extra locks for the Saris to secure your rack and bikes.